Bucks Owners Admit Mistakes in Handling of Jason Kidd Hiring

Marc Lasry, Wes Edens admit missteps in trade for new coach.

Looking back at this crazy week, new Milwaukee Bucks owners Marc Lasry and Wes Edens admit the handling of Jason Kidd's hiringwasn’t a smooth transaction.

Lasry told reporters that Bucks general manager John Hammond should have been privy of Kidd’s interest in the Milwaukee head coaching job before the news broke.

''We were asked to keep it confidential,'' Lasry said Wednesday in a press conference to formally introduce Kidd as new Bucks coach, as reported by the Associated Press. ''In retrospect, that was a mistake. I think we have learned a lot in the last couple days about process and things. I think that was our fault and we shouldn't have done that.''

Over this past weekend, news broke about Kidd’s interest in the Bucks job. On Monday, it was formally announced and reported that the Brooklyn Nets had agreed to trade its disgruntled head coachto the Bucks in exchange of two second-round draft picks in 2015 and 2019. Milwaukee also fired head coach Larry Drew, who didn’t have any clue as to whether or not he’d be back for a second season on the bench.

Reportedly, Kidd’s relationship with the Nets front office soured after he made a failed attempt to supplant general manager Billy King.

When asked Wednesday if he purposely attempted a power play to force his exit from the Nets, Kidd sort of side-stepped the question and mentioned that he’ll be criticized regardless of what he does.

“When you’re a player you’re criticized. When you’re a coach you’re criticized more because it’s about wins and losses,” Kidd said. “So, for me it’s being able to get better as a coach. I’m still a young coach and I still got a lot to learn about coaching.”

He added: “[Criticism] comes with the territory and we move forward.”

The Nets reportedly already agreed to a deal for former Memphis Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollinsto replace Kidd as Brooklyn's head coach. Kidd guided the Nets to a 44-38 record and second-round playoff appearance in his first and only season of coaching in 2013-14.

Kidd inherits a Bucks squad that finished an NBA-worst 15-67 this past season, but nabbed the second overall draft pick, Duke’s small forward Jabari Parker.

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(Photo: Mike McGinnis/Getty Images)

Written by BET-Staff

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